A New Partnership Model for Home Repair
Responding to communities at risk
Across Philadelphia, families are living in homes that are falling apart. Leaking roofs, broken systems and unsafe conditions put health and stability at risk.
A recent Washington Post article described this as a national crisis: “Homeowners are increasingly struggling to maintain and repair aging homes that are withering, crumbling, and forcing homeowners to exist in almost unlivable conditions.”
In Kensington, Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia is responding through a partnership with the Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA) and New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC).
Hear about our partnership model
A one-stop solution for home repairs
PEA’s Built to Last program offers families a single application to access repair services. It brings together resources from programs like the City’s Basic Systems Repair Program, Habitat’s team, and other providers so that work happens more efficiently. NKCDC contributes funding, housing counseling and skill building workshops and helps residents feel supported throughout the process.
“Instead of homeowners bouncing between programs or facing delays, this partnership makes it possible to meet their needs holistically,” says Zach Ellis, Habitat Philadelphia Project Manager.
Focused Work in Kensington
Habitat Philadelphia has learned that focusing in one neighborhood deepens impact. By concentrating resources in Kensington, we help more homeowners remain in their homes while building neighborhood stability.
“The homeowners have been very vocal in showing us that the partnership model, the neighborhood model that we’ve presented here with Built to Last, is really impactful,” Zach explains.
A homeowner’s story: Ms. Shoshanna
One Kensington resident, Ms. Shoshanna, saw the difference this collaboration makes. Facing urgent repair needs, she connected with NKCDC, who guided her through the application process. Through Built to Last, Habitat completed the critical repairs her home required.
Across Philadelphia, too many families are living in unsafe and unhealthy conditions. With a new roof and structural repairs, Ms. Shoshanna’s son was able to move back into his bedroom.
“Ms. Shoshanna and her children were living in a home without heat and with a leaking roof for years,” Zach reflects. “By the time we left, she had a heater and a roof that was dry over her head.”
“Her son’s bedroom was falling in,” he continued, “and we got that structurally sound so he was able to move back into the bedroom. So I think the impact of the work, with that Built to Last model, was really evident in that home. We left feeling great and the homeowner left feeling like her needs were met.”
A Model for Success
With more than 60,000 homes in Philadelphia deemed severely inadequate, the need extends beyond individual homes – entire communities are at risk when families are forced out.
In Kensington, our partnership with PEA and NKCDC offers a model for how to respond. Public / private partnerships that combine resources and streamline program administration generate greater impact at a lower cost.
If we want to improve the quality of life where people live, work and play, we need to do it together.
Read more:
Aging homes are crumbling across the U.S. Should government pay to fix them?
By Tim Craig
The Washington Post via msn.com
together, home is possible
Monday, October 6 (World Habitat Day) is Habitat Philadelphia’s 4th Annual Day of Giving, and this year, the need is more urgent than ever.
Rising repair costs and federal funding cuts mean too many families are left with unsafe stairs, failing roofs and homes that can’t weather the future.
On October 6, you can help bridge the critical gap in our Home Repairs program — funding work that goes beyond the bare minimum to keep families safe, stable and secure for years to come.